asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the names of persons and/or organisations outside this country who are receiving moneys from his or other State Departments for the promotion of Irish cultural activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Cultural Activities.
15.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report a statement listing the names of persons and organisations outside the country which received moneys from the Grant-in-Aid for Cultural Relations administered by my Department in 1975 and in 1976—to 30th April, 1976—for the promotion of Irish cultural activities. Payments by other Departments are a matter for the relevant Ministers.
Following is the statement: Cór Conradh na Gaeilge, London—Grant towards cost of participation in the 1975 Oireachtas in Dublin; International Contemporary Music Exchange Inc., New York—Inclusion of Irish musical excerpts in international promotional record album; Comité France/Irlande, Paris—Grant towards general cultural activities; Conradh na Gaeilge, Coventry—Grant towards cost of organising seminars on Irish studies; Liam Mac Mathúna, Uppsala University, Sweden—Grant towards cost of lectureship in Celtic Studies; Irish American Cultural Institute, St. Paul, Minnesota—Grant towards cost of organising "Irish Fortnight"; Canadian Association for Irish Studies, Toronto—Grant towards cost of organising seminar; Manchester University—Grant towards cost of study visit by foreign student to Donegal Gaeltacht; National Committee of the Irish Brigade Memorial Fund, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa—Grant towards cost of memorial to Irish Brigade who served in Boer War; Editor, "The Sean O'Casey Review", New York— Grant towards publication of special issue of journal; Professor Robert O'Driscoll, University of Toronto, Canada—Grant towards cost of Irish cultural week.
Would the Minister say in relation to these organisations or persons in receipt of subventions from the Government in respect of cultural activities, if there is any supervision as to how the moneys are used and as to whether they are in fact put to the uses for which they are given?
The Cultural Relations Committee advise me as to the organisations to which cultural grants should be made. We make these grants and are in touch with the bodies to whom the money is given. Beyond that point there is a limit to the extent one can supervise events taking place outside the country. I have no reason to believe that any of these moneys have been put to a purpose other than that for which they were sought.
Is the Minister saying that cultural activities are, in fact. being carried out?
Yes, I have no reason to believe otherwise. If the Deputy himself has any reason to think otherwise I would be glad to have as much information as possible. But nothing has been suggested to me along those lines and I have no reason to believe that any of the money is being used for any purpose other than that for which it was provided.
The Minister is aware that most of these organisations are genuine but would he not agree that a minority are suspect in certain cases?
I am not aware of any suspect case and the list that I have in front of me of some ten or so are, as far as I am aware, reputable bodies. If the Deputy has any information to suggest that I am not adequately informed in the matter and if, in respect of any of these bodies, they are suspect and not using the moneys for the purpose for which it was intended, I would be most grateful to receive this information from him. I have no reason whatever to believe that is the case.